Day 12 (9/30)

Scott gave me a lift back to Route 66 near St. Clair in the morning and we said our farewells.  It was cloudy and cool with moderate winds.  I was eager to ride the bike with the reduced weight.  When the first hill came I noticed it immediately and climbed it with confidence and relative ease.  It was rolling hills all day and I got into a climb and coast routine.  Not too much of interest along the route today.  I was just trying to rack up miles. I ended the day in Rollo, a distance of 60 miles (Strava shows 54 because I forgot to resume recording after a break)

Scott

The Times They Are A Chargin' - One of Tesla's charging stations in Rollo

Day 11 (9/29)

Today was a rest day.  Scott & Carol kindly invited me to stay at their new home near Route 66 in Robertsville, MO.  It was the perfect opportunity to visit, rest up, go fishing, and work on my bike.  I took 12 lbs of gear off my bike and shipped it home.  I needed to lighten the load for the hills to come.

I got the diamond treatment from my hosts. They were so kind and helpful and I am very grateful!

Snoozing by the Pool

Scott & Carol

Day 10 (9/28)

After staying in a St. Louis hotel last night. I waited until after rush hour to make my way out of the city.  Traffic was still heavy and it was the most stressful riding of the tour so far. There were many "Share the Road" signs but there was no road to share with narrow lanes and no shoulder.  At times I rode on the sidewalk. I crawled out of the city  at an average speed of 9 MPH.  Finally, after 20 miles I reached the turn-off where the traffic finally thinned out. 

But then came the hills (see elevation chart)  There was an abrupt change in the terrain with steep climbs and fast descents.  I could not get into any kind of rhythm.  Good thing I did not have far to go today. At the 36 mile mark, my friend and former colleague, Scott, picked me up and took me to his lovely home for some needed R&R.  Between the city traffic and the climbs it was a tough day on the bike, but a short one with a happy ending.

Riding through St. Louis with no Road to Share

Change in Terrain

Day 9 (9/27)

I was hoping to debunk the prevailing winds theory on this tour but it was another day of headwinds out of the Southwest.   The wind was in my face all day. Fortunately I was riding bike trails most of the day, which made it tolerable.  I crossed the Mississippi into Missouri in the afternoon and rode the Riverfront Trail into St. Louis.  Mileage for the day was 69.

Crossing the Mississippi

The Day's Big Moment

Day 8 (9/26)

Cooler temperatures moved in overnight and were a  welcome change.  I donned a jacket for the first time and headed out into the low 60s.  As I navigated out of town  I was surprised to find a construction crew and a detour sign at Route 66.  I stopped my bike and mulled over my options. The construction supervisor took pity and crossed the busy street to approached me; " Riding Route 66, are you?"  He then provided me with a detour option that kept me out of harms way. Very kind of him, I thought.

The wind was out of the west and didn't bother me in the morning as I was headed south.  Later in the afternoon it shifted out of the northwest and gave me a good push.  This  slight shift in wind direction enabled me to reach Lichfield with a 79 mile day.

There were  some rough stretches of road in the afternoon; so bad that I was worried that I might break a spoke, but both wheels held up well. I am now about 62 miles from St. Louis, "The Gateway to the West."

Route 66 Mileage Pole

Rough Road

Day 7 (9/25)

I didn't know what to expect this morning when I rolled my bike onto Route 66 for the first time.   When I saw a two lane highway with a miniscule shoulder I was concerned.  I was in for a big change from the rural county roads I had been riding last week, I thought.  But as I started out, the traffic was very light and passing cars gave me lots of space.  I eventually got comfortable and almost became  ecstatic when I discovered that some communities had  installed bike paths along old Route 66.  Approximately 30% of today's ride was on bike paths. YES!!

I met another R66 touring cyclist going north to Chicago.  Hito had started in Santa Monica and was nearing the end of his tour.  He said that the route is awesome and he had no difficulties. He did say that R66 is narrow in Missouri and there was not much shoulder.  

My tires were below maximum pressure as I was riding through Bloomington. A floor pump was needed and I typically stop at bike shops to use theirs. It being Sunday, it was a slim chance of that happening.  As I was looking at a map on the Constitution Trail that winds through the city, a cyclist rode up and asked if I needed assistance.  He helped me with directions, then told me he owns a bike shop if  there was anything I needed.  I asked about a floor pump and he had me follow  him to his shop where he pumped my tires up. It was very kind of him and the bike rolled so much better afterward. I was fortunate to meet up with him!

A stiff headwind developed in the afternoon and I was pedaling hard just to go 10 MPH.  It rained later in the afternoon, which was a mixed blessing because it calmed the winds down in the final 15 miles. I made it to the Pioneer motel in Lincoln IL, for a total of 62.4 miles.  Overall it was a good first day on Route 66.

 Bike Path next to old R66

Hito 

Pioneer Motel

Day 6 (9/24)

A rooster woke me up around 6:00AM and wouldn't relent on his crows. I suppose I should thank him for giving me an early start.  I stopped at the local convenience store/gas station to get some coffee and struck up a conversation with a local farmer who suggested an alternate route to Chenoa, my next stop.  Perfect!  It was county farm roads all the way. A tailwind helped me keep a good pace.  I made it to Chenoa (and Route 66) in the early afternoon, a distance of 50 miles. After four nights of camping, I checked into a motel for shower/sleep/laundry.  This marks a transition in the tour where I will follow Route 66 to the end.

Miles & miles of Cornfields

Route 66 - I have arrived.

Day 5 (9/23)

I had a restful evening at the Dream Acres Campground (Oh dream acres, I believe you can get me through the night.)  It was back to the cornfields again where I saw farmers hard at work with their harvesting duties.  Almost without exception they waved as I rode by.  I was also greeted with a wave by passing cars and trucks. By and large, Hoosiers really made me feel welcome.

I felt stronger on the bike today and made it to Ashkum, IL (75 miles), where touring cyclists can camp for free in their village park.  That's where I set my tent up for the night.

Tomorrow I will be reach Route 66 and heading southwest.

                                             

Riding Through The Cornfields

Historic Cemetery

Camping At Askum Park

Day 4 9/22

I slept fitfully camping last night.  I called ahead and the owner said to just pitch my tent, he would be gone for the evening, and that there was a shower.   After pitching my tent, I headed to the shower but he forgot to turn the water on.  Through the night the crickets and bullfrogs were as loud as the Trump campers of a few nights prior.  Another poor night's sleep.

I got packed up and started late at 9:30 am.  The route was again lightly traveled roads through farm country.  It was another hot day with temperatures in the low 90s.  After riding only 35 miles  I was tapped out from the heat and sleep deprivation. I made it to a campground near Mormon, IN, where there was running water and a shower!  I was due for a break.

Camping in Fletcher

Hoosier Hospitality

Day 3 (9/21)

It was a nice warm evening to camp, but there were some party types holding a mini Trump rally around their campfire. It was pretty loud until 11:30 pm or so, but somehow I got enough sleep. 

I broke camp just before 10:00 AM..  The route took me through the  beautiful Salamonie River State Forest which was a nice break from the cornfields I have been riding. 

The route started getting hilly and I ended the day at a campground in Fletcher, IN. I rode a distance of 63 miles.

Trump-Pence signs lined the roads in Indiana.

Solar power for all of my gadgets.

Salamonie River State Forest 

Day 2 (9/20)

Today's ride started in Paulding and ended near Huntington, IN where I camped at the Kil-So-Quah State Recreation Area.  A distance of 68 miles.  Another beautiful morning, but the afternoon temps were again in the upper 80s. Fortunately I had fully recovered from yesterday's  heat incident. A mild headwind developed.  It was another day of light traffic riding through farm country.

It was hard to find an end-of-day beer.  Indiana exerts tight controls.  Nearby Zanesville is a dry town. As I kept riding, I finally found a gas station in Bowerstown that sold only warm beer.  The clerk said they don't have a license to sell cold beer.  Mike Pence would be proud.

My campsite at Kil-So-Quah State Recreation Area.

It was quiet farm country all day.

Day 1 (9/19)

I began my cross-country trek in Adrian, MI this morning. It was a beautiful day for touring with sunny skies and calm winds. Other  than passing through Defiance, OH, the route took me through farm country with little traffic.    As the afternoon temperatures reached the high 80s,  it became difficult to stay hydrated.  I made it to Paulding, a distance of 76 miles. As I got off the bike, I felt nauseous and dizzy - symptoms of heat stroke.  The proprietor of the bed & breakfast took note as I struggled to check in.  She gave me water and I sat and rested for 20 minutes or so before I could stand.  After I checked in I laid down for an hour and finally recovered.   I have never felt that way in my life.  Too much too soon on the mileage.  I would have to tone it down if these unseasonably warm temperatures persist.

The Route

 This ride will be a continuation of my 2014 tour to Maine ( a2tobarharbor.blogspot.com ) with a goal of completing a cross-country tour of the USA.   The route will start in Ann Arbor, MI and connect to Route 66  near Springfield, IL. From there, it's the Mother Road all the way to to Santa Monica (Yacht Harbor).

The destination, Santa Monica,  AKA "Yacht Harbor"

Phil and his 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur on the Trans-America Trail in 1976.

I dedicate this tour to my brother Phil who rode across the USA on Bikecentennial in 1976.  I have always regretted not joining him on that classic tour.   Now, 40 years later, this will be a ride of redemption.  I believe that Phil will be with  me in spirit.